New Lease on Life for K-Line Flag Stop

OAKLAND MILLS - Work continues on the restoration of an old railroad station 4 miles south of Mt. Pleasant.

At first glance, it might not look like much. But this little structure is, in fact, a piece of local history, dating back over a hundred years.

From 1882 to 1933, the Keokuk, Mount Pleasant & Northwestern Railroad, known as the “K Line,” chugged back and forth between Keokuk Union Terminal and the Burlington Route station in Mt. Pleasant, through 40 miles of rolling countryside. Though not profitable, the route was, nevertheless, a staple of the local community.

Students at Iowa Wesleyan would walk two blocks to the depot, get on the train, and rattle south for a drink at the still-extant Mt. Hamill Tap. A local cigarmaker who plied his trade along the lines, was so well-known that the conductor knew him by name. “I’ll give you ten minutes,” he’d say, before they left him standing at the station.

Mt. Pleasant locals would ride to Oakland Mills, go fishing, and return in the evening. The train, much-loved, rode roughly, and sometimes stalled on the hill, waylaying its passengers. Owing to this, the passengers called it “Old Jerky.”

Between Keokuk and Mt. Pleasant, the train called at Summitville, New Boston, Charleston, Donnelson, Hamill, Houghton, and Oakland Mills. But not every stop was big enough to warrant a station, such as the architectural marvel in Keokuk. Oakland Mills, never very large, was served by a tiny flag stop. If you wished to get on the train, you’d place a flag out, where the engineer could see it, and wait. When the scheduled train came along, the train would stop, and the conductor would take your ticket. No ticket stand, no freight agent, no problem.

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Never very profitable, Old Jerky closed for good in 1932, in the depths of the Great Depression. The tracks were taken up, and the grade repurposed. Much of Oakland Mills Road runs on the old railroad grade. It appears the Oakland Mills flag stop too was repurposed. After thirty years lying in the woods, Don Whaley of Mount Pleasant drug it out, incorporating it into a new building. In time, this building became the renowned Butch’s Cafe. When Butch’s closed, the building was torn down- with the exception of the little depot.

Never a railroad buff, Lynn Conrad nevertheless saw a piece of local history in peril. Partnering with the County Conservation Board and Breuer Towing & Recovery, a plan was hatched to save the depot. Cutting away the rest of the building, the little station was hauled away, to begin the long process of restoration.

Now, it stands proudly at the Riverview Disc Golf Course, scarcely 200 feet from its original location, across from the old church.

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Over the years, the depot has suffered three fires and been remodeled countless times. It has taken Conrad and his volunteers hours of painstaking research and renovation to get it to this point. The ornate corbels supporting the overhang are intricate copies of the originals, created by local woodworker Ronnie Wyse.

“Ronnie put his skills to work,” Conrad said, “and gave us a very high-quality product. Folks like him are what makes the community special.”

Soon, Steven Mindenhall will provide stencils to reapply the station’s signage. The stencils are based on measurements of the original signage, faded but still present under the new coat of paint. The tongue-and groove siding on the north side of the structure is a reproduction; Incredibly, the rest is original. The shake roof is a synthetic imitation, apparently good for 50 years. Some interior woodwork still sports 1920’s graffiti.

The stop is far from complete, but it is sound and sturdy. With its beautiful trim, proud paint, and sturdy roof, it stands a far better chance of survival. “When the wind blows,” Conrad declared modestly, “It’s still there.”

Here’s to another 100 years for the little structure.

Call Marilyn Higgins at 319-368-8895 or email her at marilyn.higgins@southeastiowaunion.com